Overeem ‘hopeful’ he can still fight Dos Santos

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight fighter Alistair Overeem will appear before the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) on April 24, and the fighter is hopeful that he will be granted a license to fight.

Overeem was supposed to challenge defending UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146 on May 26, but the fight was placed in jeopardy after Overeem failed a drug test conducted by the NSAC.

In an interview with Inside MMA’s Robert Kruck, Overeem’s manager Glenn Robinson said the fighter was “hopeful” that he will get a license to fight Dos Santos.

“(Robinson) said that Overeem is respectful for the Commission’s process, and he is very hopeful that he will be granted his license,” Kruck told ESPN. “The entire team is very confident that he will be facing Junior Dos Santos come May 26.”

Kruck said that Robinson also wanted to clarify the reason Overeem failed the NSAC’s random drug test.

“Despite other reports, Overeem did not test high for testosterone. Rather, his testosterone-to-epitestosterone ration was off,” Kruck said.

Overeem’s testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio was 14:1, well above to 6:1 ratio allowed by the NSAC.

Kruck was informed by Robinson that Overeem “has a reasonable explanation for why that is, which he will present to the Commission next week.”

Overeem became the No. 1 contender for the heavyweight title after defeating Brock Lesnar in the title eliminator at UFC 141.

Some UFC fighters have expressed their willingness to take Overeem’s place for the match, including Frank Mir and Dan Henderson. UFC president Dana White has not announced who will replace Overeem.